Soooo here's a little explanation for you. I started this room in the spring--as in the SPRING One Room Challenge. Unfortunately, my mom had a massive heart attack, and I had to abandon things for a while.
Good news? My mom's doing much better (yay!), and her health is steadily improving.
Bad news? My home office still sits there. Unfinished.
What better way than joining the One Room … [Read more...]

Here's the kind of blogger I am. I made this project THREE years ago. I just realized I never posted it. Please send help.
Halloween Bat Print
I’m sharing one of my favorite and easiest Halloween projects yet. Seriously, the lack of pictures should support that. I recently visited The Graphics Fairy and got lost in all the awesome graphics she offers! I spotted this bat print and knew it had … [Read more...]

The weather here in Michigan is struggling (for lack of a better word), but I know a bunch of you are celebrating some beautiful spring weather! And beautiful spring weather means projects! And projects mean--ok, moving on.
Address Sign
Well if one of your projects involves a new address sign, I have just the tutorial for you. I'm here for you.
I did a front yard makeover for a reader, … [Read more...]

Ok. Wanna see the plan? In week 1 of the One Room Challenge, I talked about redoing the home office and why I felt it needed an update. So here's where we began.
And this is what I'm hoping will be the after. I mean, we are talking about me here. :|
THAT, folks, is more reflective of my style. And now I can't wait to get started! So the big dog is obviously going to be the bookshelves. And … [Read more...]

You read that right. ORC...One Room Challenge. I've never joined simply because I've never wanted to be restricted to a rigid timeline. Unfortunately, timelines tend to be my #1 nemesis when it comes to projects. I start one...then abandon it. No worries though 'cause then I start another one. And abandon it. Are you sensing a pattern here yet?
One Room Challenge
The concept of the ORC is … [Read more...]

You guys. I'm going to jump right to it. The basement flooring is finished! We've been doing SO many projects down there that it took a minute to get it actually cleaned up (aka sawdust for days!). Wanna see?
Did you just gasp? 'Cause I gasped. And I know what it looks like! That concrete floor has been taunting me for years, and I silenced with some good ol' Pergo flooring! Woot! What's my … [Read more...]

Anyone else out there have a thing for magnets? Like, every time you see them, you want them. Or you look at something and think, "Oh, I could make a magnet out of that." Yeah, I wonder if there's a support group for it. 'Cause I've got some issues.
Brooch Magnets
Some time ago I had written that my grandparents moved in with my mom and told me they wanted me to take anything valuable. Being … [Read more...]

I did a little experiment today. I walked into my favorite local hardware store and timed how long it took someone to ask if I needed help. 2.3 seconds. Seconds!! Let me ask you this. How long does it take you to get asked in a big box store? Just sayin'.
Michigan Retailers Association has started a great campaign called Buy Nearby, and I have to admit that I don't give my little Ace … [Read more...]

Happy Monday! I am literally sitting on a goldmine of updates for you, but I just haven't had the time energy to blog. Perhaps it's the 24-hour-a-day clouds. #justaguess
We have had a lot of progress in the basement, however. My declaration? Tile takes forever. The. End.
So the big dog here is the bathroom. My husband and father-in-law worked tirelessly to get this up, and I'm pretty smitten … [Read more...]

Ahhhh the patio. The ol' project that never ends. We hurriedly built this patio in a matter of days, and it has taken us quite some time to get it just the way we want. I have lots of DIY tutorials to share with you on how we did things, but until then let's just take in some pretty updates.
We built a framing/retaining wall this summer (again--tutorial that needs to be posted), and I knew … [Read more...]

I'm a high school teacher!! I shout it from the rooftops that I think it's the greatest job on the planet, and I believe I was meant for this job. That being said....it's not exactly the most respected job in the history of the world.
So when Teacher Appreciation Day (week) comes around, we appreciate the attention. You wanna know a truth? We don't need Pinterest projects. Framed crayon initials, … [Read more...]

Ahhhh….the master bedroom. It has eluded me for years, and I’m still trying to tackle it. It all comes down to one final element—art above our bed. I didn’t want to spend any much money; I was dealing with some difficult dimensions, and I wanted it to be VERY simple. How’s that for easy?
Here was my plan of attack--toilet paper or paper towel rolls. I tried using some wrapping paper rolls, but … [Read more...]

April 12th, 2008. My very first post. Happy Blogiversary to me, eh? It's really only fitting that my dear friend Beth is having a "back to basics" Thrifty Under $50 blog hop this week. If you're visiting from Refresh Restyle, welcome! Have a piece of birthday cake and join me!
If you've been blogging as long as we have, then you know that it all started with thrifting, repurposing, and … [Read more...]

Hello! It was parent/teacher conference week for me, so the blog just had to suffer a bit. A girl only has so minutes in the day! We've got a few things happening around JaG's house that I thought I'd share.
First up? This happened. I find it odd that I have a 16-year old driver when I'm clearly only 23, but whatever. He is free to drive, and more importantly, I am free to NOT drive him … [Read more...]

My three favorite things about decorating for Halloween? Glitter, black and white, and simplicity. Luckily, this projects fits the bill for all three, and it cost me less than $10.00! Yes, seriously.
I started out with these paper mache (I think?) cones at Michaels. I think the biggest one was only a couple of dollars--maybe less--so I picked them up without even knowing what I was going to do … [Read more...]

Welcome Friends!

Well, hello. Ahem. Allow myself to introduce..my..self. My name is Chris! And I’m a blogger! I got into blogging after spending months reading all the inspiration that is found in blogland. I thought to myself, “Self, I can do this. I might have something to offer too!” And so it began....Read More...